Margaret Reynolds

The Sappho Companion [Gender and Sexuality]

New York: Palgrave [Macmillan], 2001. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover with Dust Jacket.

No Flaws or Blemishes but minimal shelf handling; Still Gift Quality. The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean; The Mylar protected Dust Jacket has the price intact, no flaws. 9.5 inches tall; 422 pages with an index.

Despite the fragmentary nature of her surviving works, Sappho's influence has been profound, inspiring generations of writers, artists, and thinkers. Reynolds' compilation brings together a diverse array of texts—from ancient translations to modern reinterpretations—that illuminate the various ways in which Sappho's poetry has been received and reimagined over the centuries.

The anthology is structured thematically, with sections that delve into different aspects of Sappho's legacy. It begins with translations of Sappho's surviving fragments, providing readers with direct access to her work. Subsequent sections examine how her poetry has been interpreted and reinterpreted, reflecting changing cultural attitudes towards gender, sexuality, and artistic expression. Contributions from notable authors such as Ovid, Baudelaire, and Jeanette Winterson showcase the diverse ways in which Sappho's influence has permeated literature.

One of the strengths of The Sappho Companion is its interdisciplinary approach. Reynolds incorporates not only literary texts but also visual art and historical commentary, offering a multifaceted perspective on Sappho's impact. This approach highlights the fluidity of Sappho's image—from the revered "tenth Muse" of antiquity to a symbol of feminist and lesbian identity in modern times.

Subjects: Sappho, Lesbian Literature, Classical Reception, Gender and Sexuality, Poetry, Literary Anthology, Cultural History, Feminist Studies

Item #20407
ISBN: 0312239246

Price: $34.00